Human flourishing and research funding

In this episode of The Lancet Voice, Gavin Cleaver is joined by Richard Houghton and Jessamy Baganal to discuss human flourishing and purpose, inspired by a recent study. The conversation explores the meaning of health beyond reductive definitions, emphasizing the importance of purpose, community, and spirituality. They critique the oversimplification of well-being metrics and the decline in flourishing among young people due to socio-economic challenges. The discussion shifts to the impact of funding problems facing universities and researchers in the US and UK, the potential decline of Western institutions of learning, and the need for a reevaluation of global health governance. They also touch on the financial crisis in UK higher education, the over-reliance on international students, and the loss of purpose in universities becoming more like businesses.